PKB: Political or 'pesantren'?

PKB: Political or 'pesantren'?

From Media Indonesia

The various reports on the National Awakening Party (PKB) relating to the Matori group as well as the camp of Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and Alwi Shihab, can be judged by reference to the party's statutes/bylaws (AD/ART). The Gus Dur & Alwi Shihab camp apparently hardly ever follows party rules, which prompts it, in directing PKB, to exercise more of its influence among Nahdlatul Ulama members, such as in managing pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). Meanwhile, the Matori faction treats PKB as a political party and thus seems to rely more on party rules.

When Matori Abdul Jalil was dismissed as general chairman of PKB, he was charged with a breach of party discipline, but Gus Dur, as chairman of the advisory board, completely ignored PKB's AD/ART. Article 10, paragraph 6 of the rules on termination of membership stipulates, "in the case of a member holding a certain function in the party, the decision on his/her suspension or dismissal shall be made by the party executive board a level higher, based on a proposal of the relevant executive board confirming his/her membership, after a plenary meeting."

Likewise, the Gus Dur & Alwi camp's appeal for reconciliation was not based on the AD/ART. On the other hand, the Matori group, accused of setting up a rival central board, called on all PKB executives to convene an extraordinary congress, preceded by a national conference in November.

Under party rules, such assemblies are controlled. For instance, article 36, paragraph 1 of the ART reads, "an extraordinary congress can be convened when a situation considered to be a threat to the continuity of the party arises." In this way, Matori's suggestion for a special session, apart from being based on concern that the party's future existence may be under threat, also serves to confirm the group's view that PKB is a political organization possessing internal rules.

I wish to ask Gus Dur a question: is PKB a political party or a pesantren?

AWANG AWARI

Jakarta